Is the air quality good in Kraków?
On March 20, 2026, at 1:20 AM Pacific Time (PT), Kraków, Poland is experiencing poor quality air as a result of stagnant weather and local pollutant sources, including coal burning. The AQI is 170, classified as "unhealthy," with PM2.5 concentrations dominating.
Air quality is dynamic and, like the weather, can change frequently, Kraków ranked as the most polluted major city in the world on Friday morning, with nearby cities like Wroclaw, Ostrava, and Prague, Czech Republic are also experiencing poor air quality.
Click here for a real-time air quality map of Kraków.
While the air quality conditions today are unusually poor, it is important to note that the average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 for Kraków was 17.7 µg/m³. This corresponds to an AQI of 62, which falls into the moderate category and was 3.9 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Kraków, Poland ranked as the most polluted major city on March 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.
When will air quality improve in Kraków?
Air quality in Kraków is expected to improve over the weekend as weather conditions shift, allowing pollutants to disperse more effectively and leading to a gradual return to moderate air quality levels. Seasonal transitions away from peak heating demand also contribute to gradual improvement (1).
Hourly air quality forecast for Kraków, Poland on March 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.
Daily air quality trends in Kraków, Poland, over the past 30 days. Source: IQAir.
Over the last 30 days, air quality in Kraków has generally remained in the moderate range, with two brief spikes into the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range. Today, however, conditions have worsened, reaching the unhealthy range.
Air quality map of Kraków, Poland on March 20, 2026. Source: IQAir.
What is causing poor air quality in Kraków?
Several key factors are contributing to the poor air quality in Kraków:
- Residential heating emissions, especially from surrounding municipalities using coal and solid fuels (2)
- The transport of pollution from rural areas into the city, particularly during the heating season
- Traffic-related emissions, including nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter from increasing vehicle use
- Geographical conditions, as Kraków’s location in a valley limits air circulation and traps pollutants
During winter and early spring, particulate matter such as PM2.5 and PM10 significantly increases due to heating activities, often exceeding safe limits and contributing to smog formation (3).
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How can I protect myself from poor air quality?
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.
